Management challenges of urban biosolids: narratives around facility siting in rural Ontario

Abstract

The emerging challenge of managing increasing volumes of urban sewage has resulted in municipalities pursuing sustainable ways to manage urban biosolids and their by-products. Using content analysis of public debates, and situating the debate within science, policy and facility siting literature, this study examines claims and counterclaims relating to the siting of a biosolid processing facility in rural Ontario. The equivocal evidence on the health and environmental effects of biosolids resulted in a heated “expert versus lay” debate. The study critically evaluates the importance of trust and the shifting role of scientific evidence in politicised settings, while making relevant policy recommendations.

Keywords:

• policy
• science
• biosolids
• health
• Ontario

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the lead author's Joseph-Armand Bombardier Master's Scholarship from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada. We would also like to thank the reviewers for their constructive suggestions and comments.